A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 120 The Truth Revealed to the World (8)

"Never."

Song Shuyu's reply was concise and to the point, even omitting honorifics. His usually lively and vibrant face was now as still as a deep well, revealing not a trace of joy or anger.

The Empress Dowager was slightly annoyed, but did not immediately lash out. She forced a smile and pressed on, "The Duke of Song sends a letter home every month, and has sent nine letters back this year. Why is there not a single mention of me? Shuyu, are you perhaps deceiving me?"

"Your nephew wouldn't dare!" Song Shuyu cupped his hands and lowered his head, saying calmly, "If Father has official business to report, he will submit a memorial to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. As for the contents of the family letters, they did not mention Aunt. All the family letters are kept by Grandmother. If Aunt doesn't believe it, she can ask Grandmother for them."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager, who had been leaning back, suddenly sat up straight, her gaze unreadable. After a long while, she finally spoke, "Enough, the old lady is getting on in years, it's best not to bother her."

Song Shuyu replied, "Yes."

"By the way, next month is your mother's birthday. What are your father's plans? He..." The Empress Dowager paused, a hint of barely perceptible expectation appearing in her eyes, "...whether he will return to the capital?"

Song Shuyu said, “In his letter, Father said that in the past six months, the Yue Kingdom has been stirring up trouble, sending people disguised as refugees to sneak into the borders of our Great Wall. Riots have occurred frequently, and he has been unable to leave and return to the capital. As for Mother’s birthday, Father and Brother have not returned for eleven years, so one more year won’t make a difference.”

"Your elder brother, Song Shuxing, has already been appointed as a fourth-rank Mingwei General. It's time for him to share the burden with our father!"

“Please understand, Aunt! My brother is filial, but Father is worried about military affairs. In Father’s heart, national affairs always take precedence over family affairs.”

"is it?"

That threatening question stirred up Song Shuyu's long-dormant rebellious spirit. He suddenly raised his eyes and said clearly, "The whole family knows what Father is thinking. Aunt, don't you know?"

"presumptuous!"

With a flick of her sleeve, the Empress Dowager caused the teacup beside her to fall to the ground with a thud!

Song Shuyu knelt down unhurriedly and said in a perfunctory manner, "Aunt, please calm down!"

He showed no joy, no sorrow, no fear, appearing as dull as a puppet, which actually eased the Empress Dowager's brow. She then softened her posture, reclining halfway on the phoenix couch, propping her chin up with one hand, and said with a gentle smile, "Shuyu, you've grown up, it's time for you to get married. I've found two good marriages for you, I'm sure you'll like them. The eldest daughter of Guo Xuan, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, will be your principal wife, and the illegitimate daughter of Liang Ruoming, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, will be your concubine. What do you say?"

Song Shuyu reacted calmly, his expression unchanging. "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, Aunt. Since ancient times, marriage has been a matter of great importance, and should be arranged by parents and matchmakers. As long as Father and Grandmother agree, I will grant your request."

The Empress Dowager's almond-shaped eyes flickered slightly, and a cold snort escaped from her beautiful red lips. "You're quite adept at using your father to pressure me! However, this is ultimately a matter of the inner quarters, and men have little to worry about. Besides, your father is stationed at the border, and his influence is limited. As the Empress Dowager and your aunt, it is only natural for me to concern myself with your marriage. I'm sure your father won't object."

Song Shuyu said, "If Father truly agrees, then I will certainly comply!"

"Very well, I will discuss it with your father as soon as possible."

Song Shuyu raised his eyes and saw that the Empress Dowager seemed to have taken a reassurance and was full of confidence. He smiled slightly and said, "If Aunt has no other instructions, I will take my leave now!"

"Wait a moment!" The Empress Dowager seemed to think for a moment and said, "How about this, transfer that troublesome case of the hanging corpse at the temple gate that you are handling to the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice. You, on the other hand, can free up your time and energy to properly prepare for the various matters related to your marriage."

Song Shuyu raised an eyebrow, his smile not reaching his eyes. "With my aunt worrying about me, why should I put aside my official duties and exert myself? Besides, the Emperor has set a deadline for solving the case. If I were to act for my own selfish reasons, hold a position without doing my job, and neglect my duties, wouldn't I become the target of the censors' attacks? If the Emperor were to blame me then, my position would be in jeopardy, and wouldn't that also tarnish my father's reputation? Aunt, you know that the position of Prefect of the Capital was earned for me by my father and brother through their military achievements. How could I dare to betray their trust?"

The Empress Dowager's face instantly turned a purplish-red. She glared fiercely at Song Shuyu, her teeth clenched: "Shuyu, I've noticed you're becoming more and more disobedient!"

"My nephew doesn't dare!"

Song Shuyu calmly retorted, "My aunt just said that I've grown up. Now that I'm grown up, I must learn to be loyal to the emperor and love my country, and share my father's burdens!"

"What if I insist that you hand over the case?"

The Empress Dowager slowly rose from her phoenix couch and approached step by step. Her eyes held the cruel and venomous look that Song Shuyu had known since childhood. Song Shuyu shivered almost reflexively!

But this time, Song Shuyu did not back down, nor did he ask for punishment. He bowed with his hands clasped, his attitude stubborn and obstinate, "Please forgive your unfilial nephew, Aunt!"

"Song Shuyu, you have indeed grown up and are no longer as easy to control as before!" The Empress Dowager raised her slender fingers, painted with bright red cardamom, and blew lightly, saying with a half-smile, "I have heard that you have promoted a female coroner named Mu Qingcheng, is that right?"

Looking at the Empress Dowager's alluring face, Song Shuyu struggled to suppress the urge to vomit and laughed incoherently. "Not only does my aunt know the name of Coroner Mu, but Father does too! Father wrote to say that when he returns to the capital for the Spring Festival, he will invite Coroner Mu to the Duke's Mansion as a guest!"

At this point, he bowed again and said, "I have official business to attend to and cannot stay any longer. I will take my leave now!"

After speaking, Song Shuyu strode away, his back view revealing an unwavering determination.

The ear-piercing sound of the Empress Dowager smashing things in anger gradually faded away as the palace gates slowly closed.

Song Shuyu did not turn around.

For over a decade, he feigned compliance, patiently enduring the pain until his father returned to the capital. He endured beatings, whippings, needle pricks, and even being forced to drink poison that caused him excruciating pain, as if ten thousand insects were gnawing at his heart and his bones were shattering. He silently bore it all for the sake of his grandmother's peaceful life and for the lives of the entire Song clan, never openly rebelling.

But she shouldn't have used Mu Qingcheng to threaten him!

The hatred surging in Song Shuyu's chest made his eyes bloodshot. The moment he stepped out of Shou Kang Palace, he could no longer help but clench his fists, and a mad killing intent surged in his eyes!
One day, he will repay the excruciating pain he suffered a hundredfold or a thousandfold, and he will personally snap that wicked woman's neck!
"Master Song!"

Just then, a head peeked out from behind the palace wall and whispered in a high-pitched voice, "His Majesty is waiting for you in the Imperial Palace!"

Song Shuyu calmed his mind and followed the young eunuch to the imperial palace.

He had just stepped into the palace and hadn't even had a chance to pay his respects when Emperor Shen Zhu rushed up to him, grabbed his arm, and asked urgently, "Where are you injured today?"

(End of this chapter)